May 29, 2024

Crafting the Life You Want

Jessica Hische

About this video

Description

Jessica is a lettering artist and “avid internetter” who has been in a position of prominence in the design industry for nearly two decades. During that time, so much has changed. Finding your place in this world as a designer, artist or maker has become more complex. Technologies are ever evolving. Platforms and what they ask of us are constantly shifting. The internet offered us an incredible opportunity for connection but it feels harder and harder to find your people, especially because it’s not always clear who is showing up as their authentic selves and who is “building a brand”. In this talk, Jessica explains how she’s navigated all of these changes while trying to stay true to herself—from her client work and kids’ books to opening two brick and mortar stores. She’ll talk about promoting your work without commodifying every part of yourself, the power of embracing your local community and how to align new technologies with your values to live the creative life you want.

Jessica Hische

Based in Oakland, California, Jessica is a versatile artist known for her expertise in lettering, illustration, and writing. Graduating in Graphic and Interactive Design from Temple University in 2006, she initially worked at Headcase Design and later became Senior Designer at Louise Fili Ltd. In 2009, she transitioned to freelancing, marking the beginning of her influential career as a letterer. Her renowned project, Daily Drop Cap, involved creating illustrative letters daily, gaining immense popularity and propelling her into the limelight. Despite not identifying as a web designer, Jessica is recognized for web-centric personal projects, such as educational micro-sites like "Mom This is How Twitter Works" and "Don’t Fear the Internet." Her term "procrastiworking" encapsulates her tendency to procrastinate client work by engaging in personal projects. Actively participating in design and illustration communities, she served on the Type Directors Club board from 2012 to 2015 and is a sought-after speaker at global conferences. Jessica's client roster includes Wes Anderson, The United States Postal Service, Tiffany & Co., The New York Times and more. Recognized by Forbes, ADC Young Gun and Adweek's "Creative 100," she has authored best-selling children’s books and the insightful "In Progress," detailing her creative process.